Best wedding venues for foodies in London and the UK

Nothing puts a downer on a fantastic wedding then a bad meal, does it? Truth be told, food at a wedding is a tricky balance. Do you plump for the full wedding banquet, and risk sub-par food and a long period sitting down in the middle of your festivities? Do you go for more relaxed, easy-going bowl food and risk not feeding all your guests fully? Whatever you choose, it really pays to head for a wedding venue where you know the food is guaranteed to be a hit, regardless of what form or style you decide to go for. Bad food really has the potential to sink a great wedding, so we’d recommend doing your research before you plump for a location.

Fortunately, there are plenty of such venues all over the UK. For starters, many of the UK’s best hotels also boast exceptional restaurants and, though you can’t guarantee that the restaurant itself will be catering your wedding, they do tend to guarantee a high standard of food when they have a reputation to uphold.

Most wedding venues are highly flexible when it comes to catering and capable of laying on any style of food, whether that be street food-style stations and grab-and-go bowl food or a traditional wedding banquet with speeches and the like. It’s always worth sounding out a potential venue to find out if they align with your foodie vision and if they’ve catered a similar style wedding before.

When it comes to London, you’ll find that lots of restaurants also host weddings and because food is such an intrinsic part of their day-to-day, they’re more than capable of organising good food for large groups. The trick is finding a restaurant that is also smart enough to double up as a good wedding venue - we’ve picked a few that tick both boxes, as well as some more traditional options.

As always, just scroll down for our picks, and click through to any you like the look of for contact details and more information.

Best wedding venues for foodies UK

From magnificent old mansions to quiet country boltholes, the UK is packed with brilliant food destinations where you can have your dream wedding and your dream banquet at the same time.

The Manor House, Wiltshire

What: Nestled in the stunning Bybrook Valley in Wiltshire, The Manor House dates back to the 14th century, and ticks all the boxes for a picturesque countryside wedding. That includes the food offering, led by an outstanding team that also runs the Michelin-starred Bybrook Restaurant, and can lay on any sort of food you like alongside a healthy collection of English sparkling wines.
Where: Castle Combe, Chippenham, SN14 7HR
Book now: The Manor House

Lympstone Manor, Devon

What: Cast aside the sheer beauty of Lympstone Manor and the Exe Estuary landscape for a minute - not only do you get all that bundled into your wedding day, but the food at the hotel is looked after by renowned chef Michael Caines. One of the country’s most recognisable and acclaimed chefs, Lympstone Manor is Michael’s own project and his stamp is tangible in every aspect of the experience, including the world class food.
Where: Courtlands Lane, Exmouth, EX8 3NZ
Book now: Lympstone Manor

South Lodge, West Sussex

What: This stunning 19th century Victorian manor house is utterly charming, tucked away in the heart of the South Downs. Aside from its 93 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens, and a speight of unique ceremony and reception spaces, the food is a huge part of the allure here - Ben Wilkinson leads the team at Michelin-starred The Pass, but the food is outstanding across every restaurant at the hotel, including South Lodge’s delicious wedding catering.
Where: Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PS
Book now: South Lodge

Gilpin Lake House, Cumbria

What: If there’s a more idyllic spot for a wedding than Gilpin Lake House - perched on the edge of a tranquil lake, surrounded by thick groves of Lake District forest - we haven’t seen it. Into the bargain you get your wedding catered for by chef Tom Westerland and team who lay on delicious, modern British food using the natural larder around them.
Where: Crook Road, Windermere, LA23 3NE
Book now: Gilpin Lake House

Pennyhill Park, Surrey

What: Home to the superb, Michelin-starred Latymer restaurant, Pennyhill Park is one of those blissful country hotels that has it all - an incredible spa, idyllic gardens and, crucially, some top-notch food. If you’re having your wedding here you can plan a bespoke menu with the team, whether that’s a sit-down meal or al fresco canapes.
Where: London Road, Bagshot, GU19 5EU
Book now: Pennyhill Park

Cliveden House, Berkshire

What: Cliveden House has been renowned as a food destination for some time, but it makes an equally impressive wedding venue - it’s impossible not to be inspired as you roll up the long driveway towards this incredible Grade-1 listed mansion. With extensive facilities and an experienced kitchen team, Cliveden House has everything you could possibly ask for, and can cater for practically any event.
Where: Taplow, SL6 0JF
Book now: Cliveden House

Gidleigh Park, Devon

What: A legendary name in food, Gidleigh Park held two Michelin stars for many years under the leadership of Michael Caines - he has since departed but it remains one of the very best restaurants in Devon and a safe pair of hands for those prioritising their wedding meal. From breakfast to late night snacks, Gidleigh Park’s food is top class, and the setting is equally impressive.
Where: Chagford, TQ13 8HH
Book now: Gidleigh Park

Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire

What: The food at Lime Wood is under the watchful gaze of two masterful chefs - Luke Holder and Angela Hartnett - and it shows in the quality of the relaxed, Mediterranean fare. The hotel can cater for every meal you can imagine, from big wedding breakfasts to al fresco banquets, and hosting your wedding at Lime Wood means exclusive use of the whole hotel and full customisation of your menus.
Where: Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7FZ
Book now: Lime Wood Hotel

Best wedding venues for foodies London

London’s credentials as a food city are well known, and as a result, it’s not hard finding great wedding venues that also offer excellent food. In fact, some of the best restaurants in the city also host weddings into the bargain, making them ideal if good food is high on your priority list.

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

What: This smart Chelsea pub is well-liked for its elevated British pub grub, but a recent renovation has also smartened it up nicely, making it great for weddings too. The Cadogan Arms is no ordinary boozer - the ornate, carved ceiling and hefty chandelier push it firmly into lavish territory, and there’s the benefit of fantastic food for you and your wedding party after you say your vows.
Where: 298 King’s Road, SW3 5UG
Book now: The Cadogan Arms

L'oscar London, Holborn

What: L’oscar’s Parisian flamboyance, dramatic design and peacock motifs make it an obvious choice for a glitzy city wedding. There are rooms for large and small groups (the largest fits 40 for a ceremony or 80 for a reception) and L’oscar boasts classy cooking to match, trending towards classic, generous French cooking.
Where: 2-6 Southampton Row, WC1B 4AA
Book now: L'oscar London

1 Lombard Street, City of London

What: One of the City of London’s more famous street addresses, 1 Lombard Street has been pleasing punters with good food for many, many years now. Not only that, it’s a rather beautiful restaurant, thanks in large part to the gorgeous domed ceiling. With room for receptions of up to 400 guests, flexible catering options and an ideal location, it’s no wonder 1 Lombard Street is as popular a wedding venue as it is a restaurant.
Where: 1 Lombard Street, EC3V 9AA
Book now: 1 Lombard Street

Restaurants are becoming more and more popular as wedding venues these days - if you're thinking of plumping for a restaurant wedding, have a read of our essential guide to throwing a wedding in a restaurant.